U.S. patent number 8,864,222 [Application Number 12/840,915] was granted by the patent office on 2014-10-21 for unifoldable reclining chair.
The grantee listed for this patent is Daniel R. Grace. Invention is credited to Daniel R. Grace.
United States Patent |
8,864,222 |
Grace |
October 21, 2014 |
Unifoldable reclining chair
Abstract
A unifoldable reclining chair design has a collapsible
articulated frame and includes a pair of opposing side assemblies
having longitudinally elongated pivotally connected side frame
members that are maintained in opposing transversally spaced
relation by front and rear collapsible X-shaped connector
assemblies. Slidable pivot connections, or alternatively, pivotal
connecting linkages, which join the rear connector assembly to
associated side frame members, enable all of the frame members to
move substantially in unison and in multiple directions relative to
each other while simultaneously undergoing multiple changes in an
angular position relative to each other to move the chair frame
from a set-up condition for use to a collapsed condition for
transportation and/or storage in response to a single folding
action. The slidable pivot connections and pivotal connecting
linkages also enable a chair occupant to change the angular
position of the chair back support when seated or reclined in the
set-up chair.
Inventors: |
Grace; Daniel R. (Old Saybrook,
CT) |
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Grace; Daniel R. |
Old Saybrook |
CT |
US |
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Family
ID: |
43496620 |
Appl.
No.: |
12/840,915 |
Filed: |
July 21, 2010 |
Prior Publication Data
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Document
Identifier |
Publication Date |
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US 20110018312 A1 |
Jan 27, 2011 |
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Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
Issue Date |
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61227191 |
Jul 21, 2009 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
297/44;
297/354.12; 297/35 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47C
1/0265 (20130101); A47C 7/54 (20130101); A47C
4/286 (20130101); A47C 4/045 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
A47C
4/38 (20060101); A47C 4/48 (20060101) |
Field of
Search: |
;297/44,45,42,35,354.12,361.1 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Dunn; David R
Assistant Examiner: Brindley; Timothy J
Parent Case Text
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application
No. 61/227,191, filed Jul. 21, 2009, the disclosure of which is
incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A unifoldable reclining chair comprising: an articulated frame
defining a back support and a seat support, wherein said frame has
a set-up condition and a collapsed condition, and wherein in said
set-up condition, the back support is adapted to be angularly
adjusted between at least two reclined positions relative to the
seat support; a flexible seat panel mounted on the seat support of
the frame, said flexible seat panel defining a generally taut chair
seat when same frame is in its set-up condition; and a flexible
backrest panel mounted on the back support of the frame, said
flexible backrest panel defining a generally taut chair backrest
when said frame is in its set-up condition; wherein said frame
comprises a pair of side frame assemblies of opposite hand disposed
in generally parallelly extending and transversely spaced apart
opposing relation to each other in the set-up condition of said
chair, each said side frame assembly having a plurality of
generally axially elongated frame members being interconnected for
pivotal movement relative to one another about generally
transversely extending pivot axes, said frame members including: a
front leg member; a rear leg member; a seat support member defining
a respective side of the seat support; a back support member
defining a respective side of the back support; and an armrest;
wherein said frame further comprises generally transversely
extending front and rear connector assemblies extending between and
pivotally connected to said side frame assemblies for transversely
moving said side frame assemblies towards and away from each other
during collapsing or set-up of the chair frame; wherein each lower
end of the rear connector assembly is movably attached to a
respective one of the rear leg members of the frame for movement
between first and second positions spaced apart along the
respective rear leg member, said positions corresponding to
respective first and second reclined positions of the back support
relative to the seat support; wherein said chair in its collapsed
condition forms a bundle with all of the frame members and the
front and rear connector assemblies gathered together from the
set-up condition and having generally common directions of extent;
and wherein said chair is folded from its set-up condition to its
collapsed condition with a single folding action.
2. The unifoldable reclining chair according to claim 1, wherein
the front and rear connector assemblies each comprises a pair of
axially elongated frame connectors generally centrally joined each
to the other for limited pivotal movement about a pivot axis
between a generally X-shaped condition associated with the set-up
condition of the chair and a generally parallel condition
associated with the collapsed condition of the chair.
3. The unifoldable reclining chair according to claim 2, wherein an
upper terminal end of each rear frame connector is pivotally
attached to a respective back support member of the chair frame,
and a lower terminal end of each rear frame connector is pivotally
attached to a respective rear leg member of the chair frame.
4. The unifoldable reclining chair according to claim 3, wherein
the lower terminal end of each rear frame connector is slidably and
pivotally attached to a respective rear leg member by a guide rail
assembly including a guide rail having a longitudinal slot disposed
therein, and a slide disposed within the slot for movement along
the length of the guide rail, wherein the lower terminal end of the
rear frame connector is pivotally attached to the slide.
5. The unifoldable reclining chair according to claim 3, wherein
the lower terminal end of each rear frame connector is pivotally
attached to a respective rear leg member by a pivotal linkage
connected between the lower terminal end of the rear frame
connector and the respective rear leg member.
6. The unifoldable reclining chair according to claim 3, wherein
the lower terminal end of each rear frame connector is slidably
attached to a respective rear leg member by a sleeve mounted on the
rear leg member for movement therealong, wherein the lower terminal
end of the rear frame connector is pivotally attached to the
sleeve.
7. The unifoldable reclining chair according to claim 1, wherein a
lower terminal end of the rear connector assembly is movable to a
plurality of intermediate positions between the first and second
positions, whereby each intermediate position is associated with a
reclined position of the back support relative to the seat
support.
8. The unifoldable reclining chair according to claim 1, wherein
the rear leg member and the seat support member are integrally
formed to define a single generally axially elongated member,
whereby the rear leg portion and the seat support portion of said
integral member are connected by an intermediate bend.
9. A unifoldable reclining chair comprising: an articulated
foldable frame; a flexible seat material mounted on said frame; a
flexible back material mounted on said frame; said frame being
adapted to rest on a generally horizontally oriented supporting
surface in a set-up condition with said flexible seat material
defining a generally taut chair seat support and said flexible back
material defining a generally taut chair back support for
collectively accommodating an upright seated or reclined chair
occupant; said frame having a pair of side frame assemblies of
opposite hand disposed in generally parallelly extending and
transversely spaced apart opposing relation to each other in said
set-up condition, each of said side frame assemblies having a
plurality of generally axially elongated side frame members, said
side frame members of each of said assemblies being disposed within
generally parallelly extending vertical planes and connected each
to another for pivotal movement relative to each other about
generally transversely extending pivot axes, said side frame
members including front and rear leg members with respective front
and rear feet; and said frame further having a plurality of
connecting assemblies each including generally axially elongated
connecting members, said connecting assemblies extending between
and movably attached at each end thereof by pivotal connections to
said side assemblies and supporting said side assemblies for
transverse movement toward each other and away from each other and
to said transversally spaced apart condition, each of said
connecting assemblies having a lower end thereof that is movably
attached to a respective rear leg member for motion therealong
between a reclined position and an upright position; and enabling
means for requiring both said side members and said connecting
members to move substantially in unison and in multiple directions
relative to each other, and to undergo multiple changes of angular
position relative to each other, in response to a single frame
collapsing force applied to a plurality of said frame members to
cause said chair frame to move directly from said set-up condition
to said collapsed condition in response to a single collapsing
action, and for permitting the chair back support of said chair
frame to be moved between seated and reclined positions at all
times that said chair is in said set-up condition; said chair in
said collapsed condition forming a bundle with all of said side
members and all of said connecting members having generally common
directions of extent with said front and rear leg members
substantially parallel each other and all of said front and rear
feet closely spaced, and with said seat material and said back
material forming part of said bundle and having a flaccid
condition.
10. The unifoldable reclining chair as set forth in claim 9,
wherein each rear leg has a guide rail assembly mounted thereon,
said guide rail assembly comprises a guide rail defining a
longitudinal slot and a slide disposed within the slot for movement
in one and an opposite direction along the length of the guide
rail, wherein a lower terminal end of one of said connecting
members is pivotally connected to the slide for movement
therewith.
11. The unifoldable reclining chair as set forth in claim 9,
wherein each of said connecting members has a slide member
pivotally connected to a lower terminal end thereof and is slidably
supported on a respective rear leg for movement in one and an
opposite direction therealong.
12. The unifoldable reclining chair as set forth in claim 9,
wherein said frame includes a link comprising said enabling means
and has connecting points at its opposite ends and one of said
connecting points is pivotally connected to an associated one of
said connecting members and the other of said connecting points is
pivotally connected to an associated one of said side frame
members.
13. The unifoldable reclining chair as set forth in claim 12,
wherein each of said side frame assemblies has a back support
member pivotally connected to a respective rear leg for movement
between upright seating and reclined seating positions and said
enabling means further comprises means for preventing said back
support member from bowing inward and in a direction of an opposite
side of said chair in response to the weight of said occupant of
said chair.
14. The unifoldable reclining chair according to claim 2, further
comprising a locking mechanism connected between the frame
connectors of the rear connector assembly for releasably retaining
the side frame assemblies in said transversally spaced apart
condition when locked and thereby preventing said chair from being
moved to its collapsed condition, wherein said locking mechanism,
when unlocked, permits collapsing of the chair.
15. The unifoldable reclining chair according to claim 14, wherein
said locking mechanism comprises a lock bar having a plurality of
pivotally connected parts and an operating handle.
16. The unifoldable reclining chair according to claim 9, further
comprising a locking mechanism connected between the connecting
members of one of the connecting assemblies for releasably
retaining the side frame assemblies in said transversally spaced
apart condition when locked and thereby preventing said chair from
being moved to its collapsed condition, wherein said locking
mechanism, when unlocked, permits collapsing of the chair.
17. A unifoldable reclining chair comprising: an articulated frame
defining a back support and a seat support, wherein said frame has
a set-up condition and a collapsed condition, and wherein in said
set-up condition, the back support is adapted to be angularly
adjusted between at least two reclined positions relative to the
seat support; a flexible seat panel mounted on the seat support of
the frame, said flexible seat panel defining a generally taut chair
seat when same frame is in its set-up condition; and a flexible
backrest panel mounted on the back support of the frame, said
flexible backrest panel defining a generally taut chair backrest
when said frame is in its set-up condition; wherein said frame
comprises a pair of side frame assemblies of opposite hand disposed
in generally parallelly extending and transversely spaced apart
opposing relation to each other in the set-up condition of said
chair, each said side frame assembly having a plurality of
generally axially elongated frame members being interconnected for
pivotal movement relative to one another about generally
transversely extending pivot axes, said frame members including: a
front leg member ending at a front foot; a rear leg member ending
at a rear foot; a seat support member defining a respective side of
the seat support; a back support member defining a respective side
of the back support; and an armrest; wherein said frame further
comprises generally transversely extending front and rear connector
assemblies extending between and pivotally connected to said side
frame assemblies for transversely moving said side frame assemblies
towards and away from each other during collapsing or set-up of the
chair frame; wherein each lower terminal end of the rear connector
assembly is movably attached to a respective one of the rear leg
members of the frame for movement between first and second
positions spaced apart along the respective member, said positions
corresponding to respective first and second reclined positions of
the back support relative to the seat support; wherein said chair
in its collapsed condition forms a bundle with all of the frame
members and the front and rear connector assemblies gathered
together from the set-up condition with front leg members, rear leg
members, and back support members substantially parallel and with
all of its front feet and rear feet closely spaced; and wherein
said chair is folded from its set-up condition to its collapsed
condition with a single folding action.
18. The unifoldable reclining chair according to claim 17, wherein
the lower ends of the rear connector assembly are movably attached
to the rear leg members for sliding movement.
19. The unifoldable reclining chair according to claim 17, wherein
the lower ends of the rear connector assembly are movably attached
to the rear leg members for swinging movement.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention generally relates to folding chairs, and more
particularly relates to improvements in reclining chairs that are
foldable and unfoldable between a set-up condition for use and a
substantially collapsed and bundled condition for transportation
and/or storage.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Beach and lawn chairs adapted to be folded for transportation
and/or storage typically have a frame fabricated from elongated
structural members, preferably metal. The frames of such chairs
have transversely spaced apart left hand and right hand frame side
assemblies that are substantially parallel to each other. In a
set-up condition, each side frame assembly has a front leg member
extending in a generally vertically upward direction and a rear leg
member pivotally connected at its upper end directly or indirectly
to an upper end of the front leg member and which is rearwardly and
downwardly inclined from the upper end of the front leg member.
Such side frame assemblies also include an upwardly extending chair
back support member which is pivotally connected at its lower end
to the rear leg member intermediate the ends of the rear leg member
by an over-the-center linkage that positions the back support
member so that it is supported at its lower end on the rear leg
member and inclined upwardly and rearwardly therefrom when the
chair is unfolded from its closed or flatly folded storage
condition to its open or set-up condition for use. Such side frame
assemblies also include a seat support member generally supported
by the front and rear leg members in a generally horizontal
condition when the chair is in its set-up condition.
Conventional beach and lawn chairs of the prior art having the left
hand and right hand frame side assemblies such as hereinbefore
generally described also commonly have transversely extending rigid
connecting members providing fixed connection between the front leg
members, the rear leg members, and often the back support members
as well. Additional rigidly fixed transverse connecting members may
also extend between the structural members that support the seat of
such a chair. The aforesaid rigid or non-collapsible transversely
extending connecting members are generally horizontally disposed
when such a conventional prior art chair is in its set-up
condition. Thus, it should be immediately apparent that
conventional folding chairs of a prior art type as hereinbefore
described are foldable to only one storage and/or transport
condition, namely a flatly folded condition.
Such prior art chairs provide the convenience of easy fold-up, and
are lightweight so as to permit easy transportability. Common uses
for such chairs are at the beach or at a picnic where easy set-up
and break-down, as well as the ability to carry the chair along
with other things, is desirable. However, even though such chairs
are foldable for easy transport, they typically still cover a wide
area and thus take up a lot of space when folded, which makes
packing or storing the chairs difficult, especially when they must
be crammed into a space such as the trunk of a car with a number of
other objects such as a cooler, blankets and bags. That is, most
prior art beach and lawn chairs are foldable only in one
direction--typically front to back. For example, the back support
and the seat support of the chair are folded towards each other so
the frame, when folded, lies flat in an essentially rectangular
shape. When packing the folded chair into a car, the folded chair
must be laid flat, thereby occupying a wide footprint in the
car.
Other chair designs have been developed that can be folded to a
collapsed or bundled state occupying less storage space. For
example, some chair designs can be folded in multiple directions,
reducing at least the front/back and left/right dimensions between
an unfolded set-up condition and a folded, storage condition.
However, these chair designs are typically not suitable for certain
outdoor uses, such as at the beach or at a picnic, where a
reclinable backrest is desired. Heretofore, multi-directional
foldable chairs have not been capable of reclining due to the
complexity of the means of connecting the various frame members
constituting the chair frame.
In view of the foregoing, there is a need for a chair with a
reclining back support when in a set-up condition that can be
collapsed in multiple directions in order to reduce the space
occupied by the chair in a folded and completely collapsed
condition. Further, there is a need for such a chair that can be
folded to a completely collapsed, bundled condition with minimal
effort, without limiting or compromising the structural features
permitting reclining of the chair's backrest support. Accordingly,
it is a general object of the present invention to provide a
unifoldable reclining chair design that overcomes the problems and
drawbacks associated with reclinable folding chairs, and therefore
significantly improves the utility of such a chair in the set-up
condition while permitting easy transportation and/or storage in a
completely collapsed condition.
In general, there is a need for a reclinable and collapsible chair
that can be easily folded by a user with minimal effort. In this
regard, a desirable folding chair design reduces the number of
folding steps. It is a general object of the present invention,
therefore, to provide a chair that can be easily folded and
collapsed in multiple directions, essentially front to back and
left to right, with a single folding action--e.g., inward force on
the armrests of the chair. In this regard, such a chair design that
can be folded from its set-up condition to a completely collapsed
and bundled condition with a single folding action is herein
referred to as a unifoldable chair.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a unique
foldable reclining chair frame structure that is lightweight,
easily transportable, easily storable, and easy to operate between
its set-up condition and its collapsed condition, and that further
builds upon design concepts in the inventor's own copending
application Ser. No. 12/726,141 for a "Two Way Foldable Chair" and
copending application Ser. No. 12/726,154 for a "Two Way Foldable
Chair", both of which are incorporated herein by reference.
The present invention addresses these issues, and provides a means
to circumvent the associated drawbacks of such prior art foldable
chair designs.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is directed to a unifoldable reclining chair
design especially suitable for use as a beach chair, a lawn chair,
and the like, where the chair, in a set-up condition, has a
reclining back support adjustable to a number of positions, and
where the chair can be folded from the set-up condition to a
completely collapsed condition with a single folding action. More
particularly, in the completely collapsed condition, the chair is
folded and collapsed in multiple directions, so that the front/back
and left/right dimensions of the chair are reduced between the
set-up condition and the completely collapsed condition.
Unlike the prior art hereinbefore described, the chair design of
the present invention does not include or rely on rigid or
non-collapsible connecting members that are fixedly connected to
and extend between opposite side frame members to prevent movement
of the side members either toward or away from each other.
The chair design of the present invention also permits folding from
the set-up condition to the completely collapsed condition with a
single folding action regardless of the position of the back
support. That is, one need not return the back support to an
upright position in order to completely collapse the chair. The
chair will consistently collapse to the same bundled condition
regardless of the amount the back support is reclined.
In accordance with an aspect of the present invention, a
unifoldable reclining chair includes left and right frame side
assemblies collectively defining forward and rear leg members, a
seat support, and a back support, directly or indirectly
interconnected by a combination of pivotal, slidable and
telescopically movable connections that enable maintenance of the
chair frame in an open or set-up condition. The chair also includes
forward and rear connector assemblies connecting the left and right
frame side assemblies and facilitating folding of the chair frame
to a completely collapsed condition. In a preferred design, the
connector assemblies each comprise two pivotable connectors that
generally assume the shape of an X when the chair is in the set-up
condition and that are disposed in generally parallel relationship
when the chair is folded and collapsed. The rear connector assembly
is preferably moveably attached between the back support members
and the rear leg members to enable and accommodate angular
adjustment of the back support relative to the seat support.
Preferably, the rear connector assembly is moveable between at
least first and second positions, wherein such positions correspond
to respective first and second reclined positions of the back
support. The combination of pivotal, slidable and telescopically
movable structural members further enable the chair frame to be
folded or collapsed in multiple directions, including at least the
transverse, side-to-side direction and the front-to-back direction,
by moving the chair frame members toward each other and a centrally
disposed vertical axis from the set-up condition.
In accordance with various embodiments of the present invention,
the rear connector assembly can be pivotally, slidably and/or
telescopically attached to the rear leg members and/or the back
support members to enable the back support to be reclined without
affecting the set-up condition of the chair frame.
In one aspect of the present invention, the rear connector assembly
is pivotally attached at one end to the back support members and at
the other end to the rear leg members by means of a slide disposed
within a guide rail mounted on the rear leg members. The
combination of pivoting movement at each of the terminal ends of
the connectors and the sliding of the lower terminal ends of the
connectors along the guide rails enables and accommodates reclining
of the back support relative to the seat support. In accordance
with the design of the present invention, the slide also moves
along the guide rail during set-up and collapsing of the chair.
In another aspect of the present invention, the rear connector
assembly is pivotally attached at one end to the back support
members and at the other end to the rear leg members by means of a
pivotal linkage that enables and accommodates reclining of the back
support relative to the seat support. In accordance with the design
of the present invention, the linkages also pivot relative to the
rear leg members during set-up and collapsing of the chair.
In still another aspect of the present invention, the rear
connector assembly is pivotally attached at one end to the back
support members and at the other end to the rear leg members by
means of a sliding sleeve or collar that permits reclining of the
back support relative to the seat support. In accordance with the
design of the present invention, the sleeves also move along the
rear leg members during set-up and collapsing of the chair.
In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, each of
the left and right frame side assemblies includes a rear leg member
having a first end defining the rear leg portion of the member, a
second end defining the seat support member, and a bend
intermediate the first and second ends. The back support members
are pivotally connected to the rear leg member proximate the
intermediate bend.
These and other features of the present invention are described
with reference to the drawings of preferred embodiments of a
unifoldable reclining chair. The illustrated embodiments of
features of the present invention are intended to illustrate, but
not limit the invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a unifoldable reclining chair in
accordance with the present invention, with the chair in a set-up
condition and the back support of the chair at its most forward and
upright position.
FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the unifoldable reclining chair of
FIG. 1 with the back support of the chair in a reclined
position.
FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the unifoldable
reclining chair design of FIG. 1 with the flexible seat support
panel and the flexible backrest support panel removed.
FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the chair design if FIG. 3 with the
back support of the chair in a reclined position.
FIG. 5 is a side view of the chair design of FIG. 3, with the back
support of the chair at its most forward and upright position.
FIG. 6 is a side view of the chair design of FIG. 3, with the back
support of the chair in a reclined position.
FIG. 7 is a front view of the chair design of FIG. 3.
FIG. 8A is a partial perspective view of a guide rail assembly used
in the chair design of FIG. 1 for enabling and accommodating
reclining adjustment of the back support.
FIG. 8B is an explode view of the guide rail assembly of FIG.
8A.
FIG. 9 is a side view of the chair design of FIG. 3 in a completely
collapsed condition.
FIG. 10 is a front view of the completely collapsed chair shown in
FIG. 9.
FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a unifoldable reclining chair
design in accordance with an alternate embodiment of the present
invention with the seat support panel and the backrest support
panel removed and with the back support of the chair at its most
forward and upright position.
FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the unifoldable reclining chair
design of FIG. 11 with the back support in a reclined position.
FIG. 13 is a side view of the chair design of FIG. 11.
FIG. 14 is a side view of the chair design of FIG. 12.
FIG. 15 is perspective view of a unifoldable reclining chair design
in accordance with an alternate embodiment of the present invention
with the seat support panel and the backrest support panel removed
and with the back support of the chair at its most forward and
upright position.
FIG. 16 is a perspective view of the unifoldable reclining chair
design of FIG. 15 with the back support in a reclined position.
FIG. 17 is a side view of the chair design of FIG. 15.
FIG. 18 is a side view of the chair design of FIG. 16.
FIG. 19A is a perspective view of an embodiment of an armrest
design for use with a unifoldable reclining chair design in
accordance with the present invention.
FIG. 19B is an exploded perspective view of the armrest design of
FIG. 19.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION
In the drawings and in the description that follows the present
invention is illustrated and described with reference to a
unifoldable reclining chair design embodying the present invention.
A chair, generally designated as reference numeral 10, is shown,
for example, in FIG. 1 in a set-up condition ready for use. The
chair 10 includes a frame 12 that carries a flexible generally
rectangular seat support panel 14 and a flexible generally
rectangular backrest support panel 16. The frame 12 is shown more
particularly in FIG. 3 with the seat panel 14 and the backrest
panel 16 removed. The frame 12 is comprised of several frame
members pivotally, slidably and/or telescopically connected
together to define the chair frame 12 and permit folding and
collapsing of the frame 12 to a bundle suitable for easy
transportation and storage. Preferably, the frame members are
fabricated from a durable lightweight material such as a tubular
metal or high-strength plastic. Various elongated structural parts
or members that comprise the chair frame 12 are preferably
constructed from cylindrical tubular material. Alternatively,
tubing of non-circular cross-section, such as, for example,
aluminum tubing having oval or elliptical cross-section, is
employed for making the major elongated structural components of
the chair frame 12, which in certain embodiments of the present
invention restricts binding of the frame 12 when a person is
sitting in the chair 10.
The seat panel 14 preferably provides a 17-inch seat height for the
chair 10 when in a set-up condition for use. The backrest panel 16
preferably provides a high profile capable of supporting the user's
upper back, neck and head, though various dimensions for the
backrest panel 16 may be used without affecting operation of the
chair 10 in accordance with the present invention. Further, the
seat panel 14 and backrest panel 16 can be formed from a single
piece of material with a transition section at the rear of the seat
and the bottom of the backrest. The seat and backrest panels 14 and
16 may be made from fabric or other suitable flexible, durable and
weather resistant sheet material.
The frame 12 has a pair of side assemblies comprised of frame
members and having substantially identical construction, but of
opposite hand, indicated generally at 18L and 18R. The left and
right frame side assemblies 18L and 18R are disposed in laterally
or transversely spaced apart and generally parallel relation to
each other when the chair 10 is in its set-up condition.
Considering now a typical frame side member assembly 18, as shown
in FIG. 5, an axially elongated tubular front leg member 20, a
rigid rear leg member 22, a back support member 24, a seat support
member 26, and an armrest 28 are provided. Such frame members for
the side frame assembly 18 are preferably disposed within generally
parallelly extending vertical planes and connected each to another
for pivotal movement relative to each other about generally
transversely extending pivot axes. In general, respective pivot
axes on the left and right side frame assemblies 18L and 18R are
aligned for proper use and operation of the chair 10.
The chair frame 12 is generally adapted to rest on a generally
horizontally oriented supporting surface, such as a floor or the
ground, in a set-up condition. The front leg members 20 and rear
leg members 24 are provided with front feet 30 and rear feet 32,
respectively, for stabilizing the chair 10 on the supporting
surface. In the set-up condition, the flexible seat panel 14
defines a generally taut chair seat support and the flexible
backrest panel 16 defines a generally taut chair back support, for
collectively accommodating an upright seated or reclined chair
occupant. The seat panel 14 and the backrest panel 16 are secured
to portions of the chair frame 12 that help define and provide the
seat support and the back support for the occupant. In a preferred
design, the rear leg member 24 also acts as a frame member for
supporting the seat panel 14 of the chair 10, and thus comprises a
rear portion acting as the rear leg and a forward portion acting as
the seat support member 26. As shown, each rear leg member 22
includes a transition area, such as bend 34, at a location
intermediate the front and back portions of the leg member 22. The
transition area generally corresponds with the rear of the seat
panel 14 and thus essentially defines the back of the seating area.
As shown, the back support members 24 are preferably pivotally
mounted to the rear leg members 22 proximate the region of the
intermediate bend 34. The front leg members 20 and the rear leg
members 22 are directly connected to each other for pivotal
movement relative to each other about a transverse pivot axis. More
particularly, the point of connection between the leg members 20
and 22 is in the upper portion of the former and in the forward
portion of the latter, as shown more clearly in FIG. 5.
In alternate designs of the frame side member assembly 18, the rear
portion and the forward portion of the rear leg member 22 can be
independent members connected together by a fixed or flexible
joint. In such a design, therefore, there would be a separate rear
leg member 22 and seat support member 26. The back support member
24 can be pivotally connected to the joint, the rear portion of the
seat support member 26, or the top portion of the rear leg member
22.
Referring to FIGS. 3-4 and 7, the chair frame 12 includes the pair
of frame side member assemblies 18L and 18R of opposite hand. The
frame side member assemblies 18L and 18R are joined each to the
other, to enable, in part, transverse, or left-right, folding of
the frame, by a pair of movable X-frame connector assemblies,
namely a foldable front connector assembly 36 and a foldable rear
connector assembly 38. As noted, the connector assemblies 36 and 38
enable and facilitate transverse folding of the chair frame 12
between an open, or set-up, condition, as shown in FIGS. 1-2, and a
collapsed, storage condition, as shown in FIGS. 9-10. The connector
assemblies 36 and 38 also provide support for the chair frame 12 in
the open, set-up condition by balancing and redistributing the
forces exerted on the chair frame 12 by a person seated on the seat
panel 14 and leaning back on the backrest panel 16. It should be
noted that in accordance with a "unifoldable" folding operation
whereby the chair 10 of the present invention is collapsed in
multiple directions to a completely collapsed condition with a
single folding action, the chair 10 cannot be folded only and
exclusively in the transverse direction, but that transverse
folding is conducted in combination with folding of the chair 10 in
other directions, such as front-back.
As noted above, the chair 10 of the present invention is designed
so that the back support is reclinable. In FIGS. 3-6, the back
support is generally designated as reference numeral 40 and a seat
support is generally designated as reference numeral 42. In
particular, the angle of the back support 40 relative to the seat
support 42 can be adjusted to a number of reclined positions. In
FIGS. 3 and 5, the chair 10 is illustrated with the back support 40
at its most forward and upright position. FIGS. 4 and 6 illustrate
the chair 10 with the back support 40 reclined to its most reclined
position. In accordance with the present invention, the back
support 40 can be reclined to and held at any of a number of
reclined positions between the most upright position (FIGS. 3 and
5) and the most reclined position (FIGS. 4 and 6). As can be seen,
the rear connector assembly 38 is connected between the rear leg
members 22 of the chair 10 and the back support members 24 to
provide support for the back support 40 in its reclined positions.
The rear connector assembly 38 comprises two transversely disposed
frame connectors 44 that preferably form a pivotable X-frame,
discussed in more detail below, which opens into the shape of an
"X" when the chair 10 is opened to the set-up condition, and which
collapses when the chair 10 is folded up. The rear X-frame
connectors 44 preferably adjust position along with movement of the
back support 40 so as to provide adequate support to a person
sitting in the chair 10 and leaning back on the backrest panel
16.
The structure of the chair 10 enables the chair frame 12 to be
adjusted between an upright seated condition and any of a number of
reclined seated conditions while the chair 10 remains in its set-up
condition. More particularly, the back support 40 is adapted to be
reclined relative to the seat support 42 without affecting the
arrangement of the front leg members 20 or the rear leg members 22.
In accordance with the present invention, the rear connector
assembly 38 is movably attached between the rear leg members 22 and
the back support members 24 to enable and accommodate angular
adjustment of the back support 40. More specifically, the rear
connector assembly 38 can be pivotally, slidingly, and/or
telescopically attached to the rear leg members 22 and/or the back
support members 24 for movement between at least first and second
positions, where such positions correspond to respective first and
second reclined positions of the back support 40. Even more
specifically, the back support 40 may be adjusted to one of many
predefined angularly reclined positions between a forward-most
upright position and a fully reclined position, whereby the
positioning of the rear connector assembly 38 moves to a different
position to accommodate each back support position. Various
embodiments of the mechanisms for attaching the rear connector
assembly 38 to the back leg members 22 and the back support members
24, and for adjusting the positioning of the rear connector
assembly 38 are discussed hereinafter.
FIGS. 8A and 8B illustrate a preferred means for enabling
adjustment of the back support 40 without affecting the set-up
condition of the chair 10. A guide rail assembly, general
designated as reference numeral 46, comprises a guide rail 48
preferably mounted on the inwardly facing side of the rear leg
member 22 and defining a slot 50, and a slide 52 disposed within
the slot 50 of the guide rail 48 for movement along the length of
the guide rail 48. Preferably, the slide 52 has a complementary
shape to the slot 50 to facilitate the movement of the slide 52
within the guide rail 48 during reclining of the back support 40 as
well as during set-up and collapsing of the chair 10. A generally
U-shaped "universal" mounting bracket 54 is pivotally attached to
the slide 52 and is adapted to receive the lower terminal end of a
rear connector 44 for pivoting relative to the slide 52, thereby
providing first means for adjusting the position of the rear
connector 44 relative to the rear leg member 22. As shown in FIG.
8A, the mounting bracket 54 is pivotally mounted on the inwardly
facing side of the slide 52 by a pin fastener 56 that forms part of
the slide 52 once assembled. The pin fastener 56 passes through an
opening 58 in the throat 60 of the bracket 54, as shown more
clearly in FIG. 8B. Outwardly extending ears 62 on the mounting
bracket 54 have apertures 64 for receiving a pivot pin 66 for
securing the terminal lower end of the connector 44 to the mounting
bracket 54. Accordingly, when the back support 40 is reclined by
the user in a manner to be described below, the slide 52 moves
along the guide rail 48 and the connector 44 pivots relative to the
slide 52 to enable and accommodate the adjustment of the back
support 40 without affecting the positioning of the rear leg member
22 or any other stationary portion of the chair frame 12.
The movement of the slide 52 relative to the guide rail 48 is
generally illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4. For example, in FIG. 3,
which corresponds to a set-up condition of the chair 10 with the
back support 40 at its most forward and upright position, the slide
52 is shown at a first position, generally at the top of the guide
rail 48. As the back support 40 is reclined, the slide 52 begins to
slide downwardly within the slot 50 along the length of the guide
rail 48. In FIG. 4, which corresponds to a set-up condition of the
chair 10 with the back support 40 at its most reclined position,
the slide 52 is shown at a second position. Thus, the slide 52
moves between its first position and its second position along the
guide rail 48 as the back support 40 is moved to relative reclined
positions. Inasmuch as the back support 40 can be reclined to and
held at any of a number of reclined positions, the slide 52 will
move to a corresponding location to accommodate and support the
reclined position of the back support 40. The slide 52 also moves
with respect to the guide rail 48 when the chair frame 12 is being
set-up and collapsed.
In another embodiment of the present invention shown in FIGS.
11-14, the support frame connectors 44 between the rear leg members
22 and the back support 40 are pivotally connected at one end to
the back support members 24 and at the other end to linkages 68
pivotally connected to the rear leg members 22. More particularly,
as the back support 40 is reclined backwards, each linkage 40
pivots downward, thereby providing second means for adjusting the
positions of the support frame connectors 44 relative to the rear
leg members 22. The upper terminal ends of the frame connectors 44
are pivotally attached to the back support members 24 via generally
U-shaped "universal" mounting brackets 70. Though permitting
pivoting movement of the connectors 44 relative to the back support
members 26, the mounting brackets 70 are fixed in location on the
back support members 26. The lower terminal ends of the frame
connectors 44 are pivotally attached to the linkage 68 via
generally U-shaped "universal" mounting brackets 72. The mounting
brackets 70 and 72 have the same general design as mounting bracket
54 described above and shown in FIGS. 8A and 8B. As the back
support 40 is reclined, the frame connectors 44 pivot relative to
the linkage 68--which is pivoting downward--to maintain requisite
structural integrity for the back support 40 and to brace the chair
frame 12 in the reclined position. The linkages 68 also pivot with
respect to the rear leg member 22 when the chair frame 12 is being
set-up and collapsed.
The movement of the linkage 68 is generally illustrated in FIGS. 13
and 14. For example, in FIG. 13, which corresponds to a set-up
condition of the chair 10 with the back support 40 at its most
forward and upright position, the linkage 68 is shown at a first
position. As the back support 40 is reclined, the linkage 68 on
each side of the frame 12 begins to pivot downwardly along the path
illustrated by arrow A. In FIG. 14, which corresponds to a set-up
condition of the chair 10 with the back support 40 at its most
reclined position, the linkage 68 is shown at a second position.
Thus, the linkage 68 moves between its first position and its
second position along the path of arrow A as the back support 40 is
moved to relative reclined positions. Inasmuch as the back support
40 can be reclined to and held at any of a number of reclined
positions, the linkage 68 will pivot to a corresponding location to
accommodate and support the reclined position of the back support
40. Though shown as pivoting under the rear leg member 22, the
linkage 68 can be mounted for pivoting above the rear leg member 22
without departing from the spirit and principles of the present
invention. In such an alternate design of the linkage set-up, the
linkage 68 will pivot with reclining movement of the back support
40 along a path generally mirroring that illustrated by arrow
A.
In accordance with still another embodiment of the present
invention as shown in FIGS. 15-18, the rear frame connectors 44
between the rear leg members 22 and the back support 40 may
alternatively be pivotally connected to the back support 40 at one
terminal end and slidably mounted to the rear leg members 22 at the
other terminal end. More particularly, the frame connectors 44 may
be pivotally attached to sleeves or collars 74 slidingly mounted on
the rear leg members 22. As the back support 40 is reclined
backwards, the sleeves 74 slide downward along the rear leg members
22 towards the rear feet 32 and the frame connectors 44 pivot on
both the sleeves 74 and on the back support members 24 via
generally U-shaped "universal" mounting brackets 76 and 78 to brace
the chair frame 12 in the reclined position. The sleeves 74 also
slide along the rear leg member 22 when the chair frame 12 is being
set-up and collapsed to accommodate pivoting movement of the rear
leg members 22 relative to the other frame members and frame
connectors of the chair frame 12.
Further alternate designs may be used to support the back support
40 in a reclined position. For example, the rear frame connectors
44 can be pivotally connected, but fixed in location, to the rear
leg members 22 and slidingly connected to the back support members
24. Alternatively, the frame connectors 44 can have telescoping
sections and be pivotally mounted at both ends to fixed locations
on the rear leg members 22 and the back support members 24,
respectively, whereby reclining of the back support 40 would cause
the frame connectors 44 to pivot at each end and telescope to
accommodate and support the selected angular position of the back
support 40.
The front leg members 20 of the chair frame 12 are preferably
formed by a pair of axially elongated telescopically connected
front leg sections 20a and 20b. When the chair 10 is in its set-up
condition each telescopic front leg member 20 extends in a
generally upward direction. The forward portion of the rear leg
member 22, acting as the seat support member 26, extends
essentially horizontally back from the connection point with a
respective front leg member 20 to the intermediate bend 34. The
rear portion of the rear leg member 22 is downwardly and rearwardly
inclined from the intermediate bend 34. Pivoting of the front leg
members 20 relative to the rear leg members 22 enables folding of
the chair frame 12 in a front-back direction, as shown in FIG. 9.
When the chair 10 is so collapsed, each front leg member 20
telescopes outwardly, as generally shown in FIGS. 9-10, so that the
chair frame 12 can be collapsed tightly without the length of the
front leg 20 inhibiting inward folding motion as is the case with a
front leg having fixed dimension. It should be noted that in
accordance with a unifolding operation in accordance with the
present invention, whereby the chair 10 can be folded in multiple
directions to a completely collapsed condition with a single
folding action, the chair 10 cannot be folded only and exclusively
in the front-back direction, but that front-back folding in
conducted in combination with folding of the chair 10 in other
directions, such as transversely, or side-to-side.
Referring further to FIGS. 3-4 and 7, the front connector assembly
36 comprises axially elongated front connectors 80 that are each
attached to both the right and left front legs 20, which comprise
part of the frame side assemblies 18L and 18R. The upper terminal
end of each of the front frame connectors 80 is pivotally connected
to an associated front leg member 20 by a pivot mount fitting 82
mounted in fixed position on the front leg member 20. Each mount
fitting 82 extends inwardly immediately below the front-end portion
of an associated seat portion of the rear leg member 22. The upper
terminal end of each of the front connectors 80 is secured by an
associated pivot pin to pivot on an associated mount fitting 82.
The lower terminal end of each of the front connectors 80 is
secured in a recess 84 defined by the front foot 30 mounted in a
fixed position on the lower end of the lower telescoping leg member
20b. Each sliding leg member 20b is telescopically coaxially
received in the lower end of the associated upper front leg member
20a to slide within and relative to that leg member 20a based, in
part, on forces exerted by the front frame support connectors 80
during collapsing of the chair 10, as best shown in FIGS. 9-10 and
for a purpose to be hereinafter evident.
Alternate designs for the leg members 20 and 22 can be used without
departing from the focus of the present invention. For example, in
the preferred embodiment shown, the rear leg members 22 extend to
form the seat support member 26 of the frame 12 for the seating
portion of the chair 10. Indeed, the seat panel 14 is attached to
the rear leg members 22 to support a person using the chair 10. In
alternate designs, the seat support member 26 can be a separate
piece from the rear leg member 22. The two members 22 and 26 can be
rigidly attached to each other, or flexibly attached to each other
to provide some give to accommodate the person's weight when seated
on the seat panel 14.
Referring back to FIGS. 5-6, each of the frame side member
assemblies 18L and 18R also includes the axially elongated back
support member 24 for supporting the backrest panel 16. Each back
support member 24 is pivotally mounted on an associated rear leg
member 22 proximate the intermediate bend 34 thereon. The back
support members 24 are capable of adjustment when the chair 10 is
in a set-up condition--i.e., with the seat support 42 generally
horizontally disposed--so that the back support 40 and the backrest
panel 16 can be reclined to a desired position. When the back
support 40 is reclined, the seat support 42 and the seat panel 14
remain in position--i.e., essentially horizontal. Accordingly, when
the back support 40 is reclined, the angular relationship between
the seat support 42 and the back support 40 changes without
affecting the set-up condition of the chair 10. The various frame
members and connector members discussed above, their arrangement
relative to one another, and their means of interconnection, be it
fixed, pivoting, sliding or telescoping, permit the chair 10 to be
stable in its set-up condition while permitting easy adjustment of
the back support 40 to various reclined positions.
Adjustment of the back support members 24 is enabled by the
armrests 28, the rear ends of which are pivotally mounted to an
associated back support member 24 and the forward ends of which
interact with the top of an associated front leg member 20 in a
preferred design. An exemplary armrest 28 for use with the present
invention is shown in FIGS. 19A and 19B. In a preferred embodiment
of the armrest 28, the forward portion of each armrest 28 is
provided with notches 86--e.g., a plate 88 carried by the armrest
28 defines a downwardly open series of sawtooth notches
86--associated with desirable angularly reclined positions of the
back support 40. The top of the front leg member 20 preferably has
a projection (not shown) adapted to engage the notches 86 in the
armrest 28. When so engaged, the positions of the back support 40
and backrest panel 16 are secured so that they cannot slip under
the weight of a user sitting in the chair 10. To adjust the
positions of the back support 40 and the backrest panel 16, the
armrest 28 is lifted to disengage the projection of the front leg
member 20 from the notch 86 in which it had been residing. The
armrest 28 may be moved forward or backwards while the user is
seated in the chair 10 to adjust the reclined positions of the back
support 40 and the backrest panel 16 accordingly. When a desired
position for the back support 40 is selected, the armrest 28 is
moved downward so that the projection of the front leg member 20
engages the closest notch 86 in the armrest plate 88 to secure the
back support 40 at the selected reclined position. Continued
downward force on the armrest 28, be it by the user resting her
arms on the armrest 28 or merely by the action of gravity when the
chair 10 is in its set-up condition, maintains the engagement
between the projection and the notch 86 in which it is residing and
prevents incidental forward and backward movement or slipping of
the armrest 28 that would affect the reclined position of the back
support 40.
As shown in FIGS. 19A and 19B, the armrest 28 may be generally
planar, and can also include a handgrip 90 and a stem glass holder
feature 92. A forward portion of the armrest 28 can also be
inwardly projecting to provide added support for a seated user's
arms. The armrest 28 shown in FIGS. 19A and 19B can be constructed
from wood, plastic or a lightweight metal. Alternate designs of the
armrest may be used without departing from spirit and principles of
the present invention. For example, an alternate armrest design is
shown in FIGS. 1-2, where the armrest 28 is preferably constructed
from a plastic or lightweight metal, such as aluminum. This design
includes a stem glass holder feature 92 as well. Another alternate
design of the armrest 28 may provide multi-planar support surface,
which may allow for use of a longer armrest without affecting the
size of the collapsed chair 10. The armrest 28 may also be
constructed from a molded plastic to facilitate various contoured
or multi-planar designs as desired.
Further considering the front and back X-frame connector assemblies
36 and 38 and the manner in which these assemblies are connected to
the frame side member assemblies 18L and 18R, the front X-frame
connector assembly 36 includes a pair of axially elongated tubular
connectors 80 generally centrally joined each to the other for
limited pivotal movement about a pivot axis. As shown for example
in FIG. 15, each of the tubular connectors 80 may have offset
central portions 80a--one forwardly offset, the other rearwardly
offset--so that all the terminal end portions in the connector
assembly 36 may be generally planar. Alternatively, one of the
tubular connectors 80 may comprise a substantially axially straight
member whereas the terminal end portions of the other connector
member 80 are offset so that the axes of the four end portions of
the front X-frame connector assembly 36 lie within a common plane
for attachment to the chair frame 12, as generally shown in FIGS.
3-4.
As noted above, each leg 20 and 22 has a foot 30 or 32 mounted in
fixed position thereon. As shown in FIG. 7, each front foot 30
extends for some distance inwardly toward the corresponding foot on
the transversely opposite leg. The lower terminal end of each of
the front X-frame connectors 80 is pivotally connected to an
inwardly projecting portion 94 of an associated one of the feet 30.
As shown in FIG. 3, an extra support member 96 can be provided on
each side of the chair frame 12 connecting each forward leg member
20 to the seat support portion 26 of the rear leg member 22. More
particularly, one end of the support member 96 is pivotally
connected to the backside of the inwardly projecting portion 94 of
an associated one of the front feet 30. The other terminal end is
pivotally connected to an associated rear leg member 22 at a
position along the seat support portion 26 thereof between the
forward end and the intermediate bend 34 of the rear leg member
22.
Most of the pivotal connections to the chair frame 12 are to
brackets or fittings rigidly secured to the chair frame 12. For
example, in the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1-10, the terminal ends
of the rear X-frame connectors 44 are pivotally connected at each
end to frame members by way of mounting brackets 54 and 98. The
ends of the front X-frame connectors 80 are likewise pivotally
connected to the chair frame 12 by way of mount fitting 82 on the
upper end and foot recess 84 on the lower end. Similarly designed
brackets and fittings are utilized in the embodiments shown in
FIGS. 11-14 (using linkage 60) and 15-18 (using sleeve 74). The
various movable connections for the chair frame 12 herein discussed
are provided by the mounting brackets and fittings, which may be
molded from a suitable durable plastic material or cast from metal
and which allow necessary folding and unfolding movement of the
various movable parts of the chair 10 as discussed.
The mount fittings 82 for the upper end of each of the front
X-frame connectors 80 are mounted in fixed position at the pivotal
connection spot between the front leg members 20 and the rear leg
members 22, as shown for example in FIG. 3. Each mount fitting 82
extends inwardly for some distance in the direction of the
corresponding mount fitting 82 fixedly attached to the opposite
side of the frame 12. As with the mounting brackets 54 used for
pivotally connecting the rear X-frame connectors 44 to the guide
rail assembly 46, the mount fittings 82 may include generally
U-shaped "universal" mounting brackets adapted to receive the upper
terminal ends of the front X-frame connectors 80 for pivoting. The
mounting bracket is pivotally mounted on an inwardly facing surface
of a saddle 100 at the pivotal connection spot by an associated
pivot fastener that passes through an opening in the throat of the
bracket, as well as the saddle 100, the front leg member 20 and the
rear leg member 22, to support the bracket to pivot about a
inwardly extending pivot axis relative to the saddle 100 that
carries it. The pivot axis for the mounting bracket is also the
pivot axis for the front leg member 20 relative to the rear leg
member 22. As with the design of the mounting bracket 54 discussed
above, outwardly extending ears on the mounting bracket have
apertures for receiving a pivot pin for securing a terminal upper
end of an associated one of the connectors 80 that comprise the
front X-frame connector assembly 36.
Further, and as previously noted, in a preferred embodiment, each
front leg 20 comprises a telescopic assembly that includes an upper
section 20a and a lower section 20b, as best shown in FIGS. 9-10.
Each lower telescoping section 20b is received at the lower end
within an associated front foot 30 and is movable between an
extended position wherein it projects for some distance from the
upper front leg section 20a and a refracted position wherein it is
substantially disposed within the associated upper front leg
section 20a. In an alternate design, the telescoping front leg
design can be replaced by a two-piece front leg assembly, where a
first frame support member extends from the front foot 30 to the
back part of the seat support 42 and a second frame member extends
from the forward portion of the armrest 28 to a sleeve or collar
slidingly mounted on the first frame member. In each embodiment of
the chair design, the lower end of each of the front X-frame
connectors 80 are pivotally mounted to a front foot 30 or the front
leg member 20 proximate to the front foot 30. In a preferred design
illustrated in FIG. 3, the inward projecting portion 94 of the
front foot 30 includes a recess 84 defining a mount fitting for
receiving the lower terminal end of a corresponding front connector
80. The front connector 80 is held in place for pivoting movement
by a pivot pin extending through the foot 30, as shown in FIG.
7.
As previously discussed, the rear X-frame connector assembly 38
includes a pair of axially elongated tubular connectors 44
generally centrally joined each to the other for limited pivotal
movement about a pivot axis. Like the front X-frame connector
assembly 36, the connectors 44 of the rear X-frame connector
assembly 38 are centrally pivotally connected for pivotal movement
between an open position wherein the connectors 44 cross each other
and present an X-shaped configuration and a closed position wherein
the connectors 44 are in near side-by-side relation to each other.
As shown in FIG. 3, the upper terminal ends of the rear frame
connectors 44 can be pivotally attached via a pivot fastener to a
generally L-shaped mounting bracket 98 secured to the backrest
support member 24.
Alternatively, the mounting bracket 98 may take the form of a
generally U-shaped "universal" mounting bracket as described above,
which is pivotally mounted to a mounting boss fixed to the rear
surface of each backrest support member 24, wherein the boss
includes an integral saddle that extends through an opening in the
backrest panel 16, and rests on the surface of an associated
support member where it is secured in fixed position by blind
rivets, generally illustrated in FIGS. 15-18. In such an alternate
design, the saddle projects rearwardly from the backrest support
member 24 and the U-shaped mounting bracket is pivotally mounted on
a inwardly facing surface of the saddle by an associated pivot
fastener which passes through an opening in the throat of the
bracket to support the bracket to pivot about an inwardly extending
axis relative to the saddle that carries it. Outwardly extending
ears on the mounting bracket include apertures for receiving a
pivot pin for securing a terminal upper end of an associated one of
the connectors 44 that comprise the rear X-frame connector assembly
38.
In an alternate embodiment of the chair 10 as illustrated in FIGS.
11-14, the lower terminal ends of the rear X-frame connectors 44
are attached to the linkages 60 arranged to pivot relative to the
rear leg members 22 when the back support 40 is reclined or when
the chair 10 is set-up or collapsed. More particularly, the rear
X-frame connectors 44 are attached to the linkages 60 via the
generally U-shaped "universal" mounting brackets 54 pivotally
mounted on the inner side of each linkage 60 by an associated pivot
fastener that passes through an opening in the throat of the
bracket 54 to support it for pivoting relative to the linkage 60.
Outwardly extending ears on the mounting bracket 54 have apertures
for receiving a pivot pin for securing a terminal lower end of an
associated one of the rear X-frame connectors 44.
In another alternate embodiment as illustrated in FIGS. 15-18, the
lower terminal ends of the rear X-frame connectors 44 are attached
to sliding sleeves or collars 74 that are constructed and arranged
to slide axially along the rear leg members 22 at opposite sides of
the chair frame 12, thereby providing third means for adjusting the
positions of the rear X-frame connectors relative to the rear leg
members 22. As previously noted, the rear leg members 22 may be
formed with circular or non-circular cross-section, for example,
elliptical or oval cross-section. The sleeves 74 are adapted to
slidably travel on the leg members 22, and thus preferably have
interior slide bores that complement the cross-sectional
configuration of the leg members on which they are mounted. The
generally U-shaped "universal" mounting brackets 54 are pivotally
mounted to the sleeves 74 by an associated pivot fastener that
passes through an opening in the throat of the bracket 54 to
support it for pivoting relative to the sleeve 74 on which it is
mounted. Outwardly extending ears on the mounting bracket 54 have
apertures for receiving a pivot pin for securing a terminal lower
end of an associated one of the rear X-frame connectors 44.
In accordance with the present invention, the back support 40 is
intended to be reclinable. It should be apparent that the weight of
a person seated in the chair 10 and resting against the backrest
panel 16 will tend to cause the chair back to hinge in a rearward
direction about its horizontal pivotal support axis if rearwardly
directed force is acting upon the back support 40. The force
exerted on the chair frame 12 will also be translated into
downwardly directed forces applied to the rear mounting brackets 54
and 98 with resulting torque applied to the rear leg members 22 by
the forces outwardly acting on the brackets 54 and 98. Various
means can be used to prevent such collapsing, buckling, or bowing
actions. For example, such actions can be prevented by using a rear
X-lock assembly 102, which generally comprises a lock bar 104
extending between upper ends of the rear X-frame connector assembly
38, as described in more detail below. Alternatively, a combination
of the rear X-lock assembly 102 and non-circular legs interacting
with complementary shaped sliding sleeves or collars 74 may
restrict buckling of the frame 12. In other embodiments, circular
legs with correspondingly shaped sliding sleeves 74 can be used,
with an X-lock assembly 102 provided to compensate for the user's
weight and prevent inward buckling. Still alternately, the X-lock
assembly 102 need not be used, but where buckling is accommodated
for with the structure of guide rail assemblies 46 or the pivoting
linkages 60 on the rear leg members 22 that permit the rear X-frame
connectors 44 to maintain adequate structural integrity to support
a seated person. Still alternately, other shapes for the frame
members can be used, including circular tubing with a guide rail
mounted thereon and a complementary shaped slide collar comprising
a circular opening with a key-way to accommodate the guide rail and
prevent twisting of the slide collar.
As noted, the afore-described back support collapse problem can
also be overcome by the provision of a collapsible X-lock assembly
102 that is pivotally connected at its opposite ends to the rear
X-frame connector assembly 38. The collapsible lock bar 104 is
comprised of two distinct lock bar sections 104a and 104b. Each
section 104a and 104b extends inwardly from an associated rear
X-frame connector 44 and toward the other bar section. One of the
bar sections can further extend outward past its associated X-frame
connector to form a handle extension for facilitating locking and
unlocking of the lock assembly 102. The inner ends of the two bar
sections 104a and 104b are pivotally connected to each other in
spaced apart relation and arranged for click or snap engagement to
releaseably retain the sections 104a and 104b in a locked position
wherein the lock bar 104 is substantially straight and extends
between the rear X-frame connectors 44. One or both connectors 44
which provide pivotal connection between the outer ends of the lock
bar sections 104a and 104b may also be designed to permit click or
snap engagement with the lock bar 104 to assure that the X-lock
assembly 102 maintains the two X-frame connectors 44 in pivoted
spaced-apart relation when the chair 10 is in its set-up condition.
Light pressure on the handle extension, if provided, or,
alternatively, light pressure applied to the central connection
point of the lock bar sections 104a and 104b is sufficient to
collapse the lock bar 104 so that it may be folded to a fully
collapsed position wherein the two sections 104a and 104b of the
lock bar 104 are disposed in generally side-by-side relation when
the chair frame 12 is moved to its collapsed position as shown in
FIGS. 9-10. Thus, the X-lock assembly 102 provides an effective
means for stabilizing the back support 40 and preventing the back
support members 24 on a chair 10 with a reclinable back from moving
toward each other when a reclining user is seated in the chair
10.
The X-lock assembly 102 can be positioned at different heights
relative to the back support 40 or the rear legs 22, depending on
the maximum weight the chair 10 is expected to handle. For example,
the embodiment of the X-lock assembly 102 illustrated in FIGS. 3-6
is mounted on the lower portions of the rear frame connectors 44
beneath the centrally located pivot point of the rear connector
assembly 38. FIG. 7 illustrates this version of the X-lock assembly
102 in a disengaged condition. In an alternate embodiment of the
X-lock assembly 102 illustrated in FIGS. 15-16, the lock bar 104 is
mounted as the upper portions of the rear frame connectors 44 above
the centrally located pivot point of the rear connector assembly
38.
The X-frame connector assemblies 36 and 38 need not be in the form
of an X. Alternate designs providing substantial support include
vertical parallel support braces, H-shaped assemblies, and
variations of X- and H-shaped assemblies.
When the chair 10 is not in use, it may be prepared for storage or
transportation by folding it into its collapsed condition. The
chair 10 can be folded from the set-up condition to the completely
collapsed condition with a single folding action--preferably by
grabbing a portion of the chair frame 12 on each side of the seat
panel 14 (e.g., grabbing the armrests 28) and pressing inward and
lifting upwards at the same time. The frame members of the chair 10
will collectively pivot, slide, fold and/or telescope to move the
various frame members towards a vertical center axis to collapse
the frame in multiple directions, including left-to-right and
front-to-back. Prior to collapsing the frame 12, the X-lock
assembly 102, if used, must be disengaged. The end result will be a
compact bundle wherein the various axially elongated structural
members will be disposed in relatively closely spaced apart
side-by-side relation to each other and have a common general
direction of axial extent, as shown in FIGS. 9-10. It will be noted
that the X-lock assembly 102 connected to the rear X-frame
connectors 44 is disposed in a collapsed condition when the chair
10 is collapsed, and the seat panel 14 and the backrest panel 16
have a flaccid condition and form part of the collapsed bundle.
As discussed herein, the structure of the chair 10 in accordance
with the present invention provides a simple approach for folding
the chair 10 to a collapsed condition where the chair 10 can be
folded from a conventional set-up condition, as shown in FIG. 1, to
a completely collapsed and bundled condition, as shown in FIGS.
9-10, with a single folding action. That is, where the user of the
chair 10 desires to fold the chair 10 into a compact, bundled
condition for easy transportation and/or storage, the user can
simply press inwardly on the chair frame 12, for example, on the
armrests 28 of the chair 10. This inwardly directed force causes
the frame members and frame connectors to move substantially in
unison and in multiple directions relative to each other while
undergoing multiple changes of angular position relative to each
other. For example, the inwardly directed folding force causes the
frame side assemblies 18L and 18R to move toward each other. As a
lateral pressure is exerted on the chair frame 12, the X-frame
connector assemblies 36 and 38 elongate, with each connector 44 or
80 of the respective X-frame moving relative to the other toward
parallel relationship. With the elongation of the front X-frame
connectors 80 about a central pivot point, the front leg members 20
are caused to telescope--i.e., the movement of the connectors 80
influences the telescoping lower front leg section 20b within the
upper front leg section 20a to telescope outwardly--to thereby
effectively lengthen the front leg members 20 of each frame side
assembly 18L and 18R.
The lengthening of the front leg members 20 causes the front and
rear leg members 20 and 22 to pivot and move toward each other and
toward a parallel relationship. Since the extra support member 96
is fixed to the front foot 30 on the frame side assemblies 18L and
18R, telescoping movement of the front foot 30, along with the
lower front leg section 20b to which it is secured, exerts a
downward directing force on the support member 96. The support
member 96, however, is fixed at its other end to the seat support
portion 26 of the rear leg member 22. Thus, the downwardly directed
force exerted on the support member 96 causes it to pull the front
leg member 20 and the rear leg member 22 towards each other--i.e.,
in a front-back folding manner. The movement of the support member
26 thereby influences movement of the rear leg member 22 about the
pivot therebetween and into a folded condition. The overlying
result of this linkage design is that the front and rear leg
members 20 and 22 move and are folded together as the frame side
assemblies 18R and 18L move laterally together, ending in a
completely bundled chair assembly, as shown in FIGS. 9-10. As so
collapsed, the frame members and frame connectors end up with
generally common directions of extent. As shown, for example, the
frame members and frame connectors all lie in generally parallel
condition.
Another available embodiment of a chair design in accordance with
the present invention can utilize a support member connected
between the front leg member 20 and the seat frame portion 26 of
the rear leg member 22. In such an embodiment, the front leg 20 is
angularly disposed in an open, set-up condition between the front
foot 30 and the back of the seating area. The support member is
pivotally mounted between the forward end of the seat frame member
26 and to the lower end of the front leg member 20 and is generally
vertically disposed when the chair is in an open, set-up condition.
More particularly, the support member may be pivotally mounted to a
collar or sleeve slidingly mounted on the front leg member 20. As
the chair is folded to its completely collapsed condition, the
sleeve slides up the front leg member 20 as the support member
pivots, so that the chair frame 12 can be collapsed tightly. In
such a design, the front leg member 20 need not telescope during
folding of the chair. Instead, the movement of the sleeve allows
the frame members to collapse to a bundled condition without the
lengths of any of the frame members inhibiting the collapsing
action.
When the chair 10 is in its set-up condition, the flexible seat
panel 14 and backrest panel 16 will be held tautly on the frame.
However, when the chair 10 is folded to its collapsed condition,
the seat panel 14 and backrest panel 16 will be in a flaccid
condition and form a part of the bundle.
The foregoing description of embodiments of the invention has been
presented for the purpose of illustration and description. It is
not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the form
disclosed. Obvious modifications and variations are possible in
light of the above disclosure. The embodiments described were
chosen to best illustrate the principles of the invention and
practical applications thereof to enable one of ordinary skill in
the art to utilize the invention in various embodiments and with
various modifications as suited to the particular use
contemplated.
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